Why Does Your Dog Follow You from Room to Room?

Q. Why does my dog always follow me around from room to room? Even when he is in deep relaxation, when I get up & move he will follow me. He does not follow my husband & daughter around the house, only me. However, if I am not home & my husband is, then he will come & sit near him. He does not seem to follow my 10yo daughter around.

A. Nothing makes us feel more loved than an adoring dog at our feet sharing your space. They make us feel special and loved, like the most important person in the world. Particularly, when they follow you around the home. It may be comforting at first, but I’m sure once they start to follow you into the bathroom it gets a little too personal! So how do you know if your dog is just displaying its love for you, or is it just too attached to you? There are several reasons why your dog would follow you around the home:

For the Love of You Your dog simply wants to be around you. They don’t see any reason why not to be in your presence. You are their world, their best friend and their access to the outside world. Your dog sees right through you – they see your true colours, and they love you as you are, faults and all – wouldn’t it be great if your partner saw you that way too?

Separation Anxiety Your dog does not know how to be alone. There is a difference between dogs that cannot be left alone when you are out and dogs that cannot be on their own when you are home. This can come from constantly interacting with your dog or encouraging your dog to be in your presence at all times. Particularly dogs with anxious personalities, it is wise to encourage your dog to enjoy its own company when you are home or if you work from home. You can use treat filled toys, or chew sticks to distract them from you. Training your dog to sit in designated areas in the house will also teach them boundaries and build reassurance in them. You may need to train yourself as well. Restrict how much attention you put on your dog; constant cuddles of your beloved companion may reinforce your dog’s anxiety. Your dog is not just a fluffy companion; they need their own space as well.

Leadership Many animal behaviourists will tell you that if your dog follows you around the home, then it sees you as the pack leader. This is partly true; in packs, dogs do follow the leader. However, if there is no leader in your home, your dog may follow the person it feels most safe with, and if that person is not there, then the next in command. Often dogs will not follow the leadership of children, simply because they see them as equals in the pack – they are perceived to be littermates. The only person who can confirm whether you are the leader or not, is your dog!

Find out if your dog thinks you are the leader of the pack – book your consultation below:

http://www.animaltalk.com.au/bookings Dogs have the incredible ability to love us unconditionally, to look upon us with such devoted attention and encourage us to be the best version of ourselves. It goes without saying that we should strive to give back to our beloved companions a happy, healthy and loving environment.